The Darebin Toy Library was established 27 years ago to provide families with children aged 0 – 6 years access to high quality, age-appropriate toys and equipment. The aim of the Toy Library is to encourage connection, support crucial intellectual, emotional and social abilities in children as well as promote the right of the child to play.

We asked you for your feedback and ideas from April to June 2021. Thank you for your contribution.

What’s happened so far?

The service review began in October 2020. We have established a community reference group, have also researched and reviewed toy libraries locally and worldwide, and asked the community for their ideas and feedback.

Our aim is that the Darebin Toy Library is the best it can be and to develop a service model that is based on efficient, sustainable and strength-based approaches. We want to improve customer experience, remove barriers and generate ideas for improvement of the service model.

What’s happening now?

Darebin Toy Library has reopened and welcomes you to join or reconnect.

From your feedback, we have implemented improvements to make the Toy Library in Darebin the best it can be.

You told us you wanted a sustainable Toy Library service with a refreshed toy selection that the community can enjoy.

We are delighted to have removed fees, refreshed the toys in the collection and upgraded our software so you can now join, browse and renew online and also book your appointments to come in person. We have reorganised the collection so browsing and borrowing is even easier with an accessible space and toys that are grouped and labelled according to age and use.

We have heard you want the Toy Library to be open at different locations across Darebin with more flexible hours and this is something we are taking into consideration for our future planning of the service.

We are currently open by appointment only, but we look forward to when we can open up for anyone wanting to walk in and browse and borrow the collection.

If you would like to speak to someone in your preferred language about the Toy Library review, please contact us or call 8470 8470 to be connected to a Language Aide or an interpreter.